'11 NY OLB Ishaq Williams (Signed ND LOI-EE)

[Sherm Sticky]

He does not play with attitude, i like this example, look at how Day runs, pursuit the play and goes to the ground -even with an OL trying to blocking him- and how an unblocked Ishaq it's all about hesitation:

http://zippy.gfycat.com/BothSinfulCassowary.webm


Of course, he plays soft too

http://zippy.gfycat.com/FlashyRichKookaburra.webm

Does not convert speed (average speed) to power and when an OL or TE put his hands on Ishaq's pads, the play is over, he plays withoud hands/pass rush moves:

http://zippy.gfycat.com/AntiqueSnarlingDuck.webm

I don't understand the hype with him. He is the less productive player on the D. He basically plays walking through the plays trying to avoid contact, it's really frustrating sometimes. Maybe Farley is not the most skilled football player but that guy plays 100 times harder.

I disagree with you.

On the first video it looks to me like Ishaq had backside contain, which is why he was not streaking to the ball career.

 

[PANDFAN]

you lost me at "no matter how many smart soccer players he had to field."

What does that mean?

IMO Ishaq and A.Lynch were never good fits for Diaco's 3-4 defense. I believe that both are better suited to being out and out 4-3 DE's that just get after the QB.

he was making a joke regarding farley who was a former soccer player played because he understood the defense more so than others that maybe had more physical tools and were more athletic...

 

[EuropeanDomer]

 

[MNIrishman]

Well that ain't no good.

 

[FLDomer]

Why are you posting this? No comment or anything, just dropping off this mistake by Isaq and leaving it....I am confused.

 

[dublinirish]

Ishaq got run blocked all the way back there by the LT (off screen of course)

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

This is why he should be a hand-in-the-dirt guy and rushing forward full force. Ishaq can create pressure but he's not a drop LB

 

[EuropeanDomer]

FLDomer: I like to re-watch games and post some gifs (good or bad plays) and discuss about the game. I do not want to offend Ishaq or anyone.

 

[arrowryan]

This is why he should be a hand-in-the-dirt guy and rushing forward full force. Ishaq can create pressure but he's not a drop LB

You're spot on. That's why I'm so excited to see him play this year at DE. Absolutely no reason why he should be playing 10 yards off the LOS

 

[FLDomer]

FLDomer: I like to re-watch games and post some gifs (good or bad plays) and discuss about the game. I do not want to offend Ishaq or anyone.

Thanks for explanation. I was just a little confused.

Now as far as the play goes, this is a prime example of why I am looking forward to BVGs scheme as opposed to Diaco's, which I do not believe played to Ishaq's skill set.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Thanks for explanation. I was just a little confused.

Now as far as the play goes, this is a prime example of why I am looking forward to BVGs scheme as opposed to Diaco's, which I do not believe played to Ishaq's skill set.

My reps to you sir. (As representative of those sentiments in this thread.)

Oft times we ND fans get a little prickly. If we don't get stud assassin from a highly anticipated recruit, we tend to kick these 18 to 22 year old kids to the curb. This is a case where not only are you spot on, but have a great perspective and the intention for the kid do dominate his senior year! Go ISHAQ! Go IRISH!

 

[yankeeND]

FLDomer: I like to re-watch games and post some gifs (good or bad plays) and discuss about the game. I do not want to offend Ishaq or anyone.

That's fine to post and I can appreciate what you are doing but, don't just post the gif of a crap play then mic drop. We understand Ishaq has not lived up to the hype yet, and as highly touted as he was it just kind of seemed like a lame thing to do. Now with that said, he never was cut out to be a LB. He just isn't that guy. We will truly see what his prospects are moving forward as his natural position will be his place as a DE. Also, I am not calling you out, and I appreciate that you explained your intentions so don't take that as a negative response, think of it as an education of what not to do to a group of rabid ND fans lol.

 

[rocket66]

That's fine to post and I can appreciate what you are doing but, don't just post the gif of a crap play then mic drop. We understand Ishaq has not lived up to the hype yet, and as highly touted as he was it just kind of seemed like a lame thing to do. Now with that said, he never was cut out to be a LB. He just isn't that guy. We will truly see what his prospects are moving forward as his natural position will be his place as a DE. Also, I am not calling you out, and I appreciate that you explained your intentions so don't take that as a negative response, think of it as an education of what not to do to a group of rabid ND fans lol.

Dude. Get over yourself.

 

[woolybug25]

Dude. Get over yourself.

What does he need to get over exactly? He's exactly right and saying what the rest of us thought when the gif was originally posted. He didn't insult European, he simply explained that some color with the gif would be appreciated in the future. Especially if the gif posted without comment in the recruits thread is a bad one.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

You all nailed it. Ishaq should not be playing in space. He should have his hand in the dirt.

 

[yankeeND]

Dude. Get over yourself.

Was I not respectful? Like I said, I don't mind the post at all, but he should have put some kind of explanation under the his gif. If you don't like that I have a reaction to it so be it.

 

[JD Irish]

Mike Frank is not expecting big things from Ishaq, he says that Okwara looks better, and that isn't necessarily saying much about Okwara.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Mike Frank is not expecting big things from Ishaq, he says that Okwara looks better, and that isn't necessarily saying much about Okwara.

Good to know. I'm sure he's a better evaluator of talent than I. If he's right, I hope we have someone step up in Ishaq's place. If he's wrong, I'm sure he'll be as pleased as we will with production from Ishaq.

I'm still holding out that Ishaq turns the corner and underneath his restrained demeanor is the heart of a lion.

 

[IrishBlood81]

How long before this thread gets locked?... Start the count down.

 

[yankeeND]

Good to know. I'm sure he's a better evaluator of talent than I. If he's right, I hope we have someone step up in Ishaq's place. If he's wrong, I'm sure he'll be as pleased as we will with production from Ishaq.

I'm still holding out that Ishaq turns the corner and underneath his restrained demeanor is the heart of a lion.

Yeah I respect MF's opinion a lot so that is kind of discouraging. I am more of the line of thinking that you are with him though, and I hope Ishaq turns into what we all hope for him. We have seen flashes over the last few years so we know he has the potential, we just need to we him put it all together and be consistent over the course of a season.

 

[Old Man Mike]

I have a way-out-there concept about Ishaq and real time football. When Ishaq has to make decisions, he hesitates. Well, guess what? He's a philosophy major. Weird thing to say? As an old prof, I think that it is germane, because it means that Ishaq uses his brain to "stop" and analyze things --- and he's trained it to do that. BUT, when playing defense that's precisely what you don't want to be doing after the snap of the ball. You need to go all animal-instinct then and merely play.

Stick a thinker out in space and you get "Ishaq-in-slow-motion". Stick a potential thinker in a situation where it won't let him stop and think, and maybe we have Beast Ishaq. Linebacker? HORRIBLE idea from the start. Defensive end without too much complexity? Maybe we'll Release The Kraken. As to Ishaq vs Romeo at that position... I've been waiting for Romeo to get that type of shot for some time now. Rather than wondering if either of them are any good, I think both of them are going to be real good. My personal instincts see Romeo's forklift strength giving him an edge though.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I have a way-out-there concept about Ishaq and real time football. When Ishaq has to make decisions, he hesitates. Well, guess what? He's a philosophy major. Weird thing to say? As an old prof, I think that it is germane, because it means that Ishaq uses his brain to "stop" and analyze things --- and he's trained it to do that. BUT, when playing defense that's precisely what you don't want to be doing after the snap of the ball. You need to go all animal-instinct then and merely play.

Stick a thinker out in space and you get "Ishaq-in-slow-motion". Stick a potential thinker in a situation where it won't let him stop and think, and maybe we have Beast Ishaq. Linebacker? HORRIBLE idea from the start. Defensive end without too much complexity? Maybe we'll Release The Kraken. As to Ishaq vs Romeo at that position... I've been waiting for Romeo to get that type of shot for some time now. Rather than wondering if either of them are any good, I think both of them are going to be real good. My personal instincts see Romeo's forklift strength giving him an edge though.

Interesting take...good post.

 

[IrishLion]

That's fine to post and I can appreciate what you are doing but, don't just post the gif of a crap play then mic drop. We understand Ishaq has not lived up to the hype yet, and as highly touted as he was it just kind of seemed like a lame thing to do. Now with that said, he never was cut out to be a LB. He just isn't that guy. We will truly see what his prospects are moving forward as his natural position will be his place as a DE. Also, I am not calling you out, and I appreciate that you explained your intentions so don't take that as a negative response, think of it as an education of what not to do to a group of rabid ND fans lol.

Dude. Get over yourself.

Yes! How dare you explain why that posted gif of a shitty play with no explanation might upset people on a Notre Dame football message board. Outrageously egotistical and conceited, aren't you?

 

[Irish Man3]

Mike Frank is not expecting big things from Ishaq, he says that Okwara looks better, and that isn't necessarily saying much about Okwara.

When and where did he say this?

 

[NDinL.A.]

Was I not respectful? Like I said, I don't mind the post at all, but he should have put some kind of explanation under the his gif. If you don't like that I have a reaction to it so be it.

Don't even sweat it. That poster has been a (redacted) since he started on this site. Same old same old.

When and where did he say this?

It was said after the spring IIRC. Also said that Romeo started off slowly but picked it up toward the end of the spring.

3.5 years and we've seen nothing different out of Ishaq. Hopefully the light bulb goes on and he realizes he has millions of reasons to give 100% in every practice and every snap in live action. Like MF, I'm skeptical, but I still hold out hope bc of his massive natural talent and his position change.

 

[yankeeND]

Don't even sweat it. That poster has been a (redacted) since he started on this site. Same old same old.



It was said after the spring IIRC. Also said that Romeo started off slowly but picked it up toward the end of the spring.

3.5 years and we've seen nothing different out of Ishaq. Hopefully the light bulb goes on and he realizes he has millions of reasons to give 100% in every practice and every snap in live action. Like MF, I'm skeptical, but I still hold out hope bc of his massive natural talent and his position change.

Ain't no thang, just caught me off guard a little. Appreciate it though.

I can understand the skepticism on Ishaq though. I think he has been the perennial IE board favorite to most likely break out for three years running. What's amazing to me though, and you nailed it spot on, is what's at stake here. He has so much natural talent, that a breakout season could leapfrog him into the 1st Rd. Can you imagine that? I sure hope he does too; never heard a peep out of him as things have not gone as expected.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

In my opinion Okwara is a bit underrated. Maybe he is not a technician (he is younger than Jaylon Smith) but has the size, strength and knows how to use his body to win battles. He makes mistakes but i love the way he plays: never stop hustling until the referee stops the play. SEC type of defensive player.

 

[NDBoiler]

Yeah, Yankee is virtually the last person on IE who needs to get over himself, LOL. Dude is always respectful and cool.

If Ishaq doesn't come out of the gate strong in the first third of the season, I can see his PT dropping off significantly. I hope he gets on it though, he has the potential to be the difference between 8 wins and 10-11 wins if he can.

 

[irishfan]

I forget if it was the Purdue or Michigan game when Ishaq dropped in coverage on 3rd and 20 and we let up a 21 yard pass where he was. He never had a home in our old D, whether he was playing DE, dropping into coverage, or doing some sort of weird spy/delayed blitz against Michigan. He was very poorly misused in our 3-4.

Really hoping that the combo of strictly playing DE along with it being do-or-die time will allow him to play solid all year long. Our DE experience is pretty crappy, we need an engaged Ishaq badly this year.

 

[PLACforever]

I'm a big fan of Shaq, I hope he can blossom in the new system.